The importance of early diagnosis of retrobulbar hemorrhage

Abstract

Midface fractures usually affect the orbital cavity. This trauma may result in severe and rare consequences such as retrobulbar hemorrhage. This condition requires immediate diagnosis and early intervention to avoid blindness. The treatment usually requires evaluation of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This patient report aims to describe a facial trauma resulting in blindness after 4 days. An 83-year-old woman fell and hit her face on the floor. The initial evaluation only found a contusion on her left orbit, and an ophthalmologic examination was not made. After 72 hours, the patient searched for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, showing blindness of her left eye. Despite the treatment, the vision was not recovered. Blindness can become irreversible 90 minutes after trauma, and this condition must be treated as an emergency.